Channel NewsAsia 9 Feb 19;
SINGAPORE: Malaysian buoy-laying vessel Polaris and a Greece-registered ship collided in Singapore waters on Saturday (Feb 9), the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) said.
Polaris and bulk carrier Piraeus collided at 2.28pm on Saturday within Singapore port limits off Tuas, MPA said in a statement.
The Greek vessel was on its way from Singapore to its next port of call at Tanjung Pelepas in Malaysia when the collision took place.
"MPA is deeply concerned that the presence of unauthorised vessels in Singapore port limits can cause confusion for the international shipping community and threaten navigational safety in our waters," it said.
There are no reports of an oil leak, the authority said, adding that it was investigating the collision.
There were also no injuries to the crew of both vessels, said Mr Baharin Abdul Hamid, the Director-General of Malaysia's Marine Department (MARDEP), in a statement. He added that the Greek vessel was instructed to sail to the Port of Tanjung Pelepas and that the department has commenced a preliminary inquiry into the incident.
Malaysia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a release that MARDEP has detained the Greek vessel and crew "for purposes of a preliminary inquiry".
According to the Marine Traffic website, Piraeus is a 200m cargo vessel built in 2006.
Singapore and Malaysia have been embroiled in a maritime dispute after Malaysia in October last year extended its Johor Bahru port limits, which Singapore says encroaches into its territorial waters.
In late November, Malaysian government vessels started intruding into Singapore waters, Singapore's Foreign Affairs Minister Vivian Balakrishnan said.
Speaking in Parliament on Jan 14, Dr Balakrishnan said these "daily intrusions" have continued despite Malaysia saying it will "take all effective measures to de-escalate the situation on the ground".
Singapore has protested Malaysia's extension of its port limits and the intrusions, Dr Balakrishnan said, calling on both sides to act in good faith, comply with international law and honour existing agreements.
Dr Balakrishnan's ministerial statement came after a bilateral meeting with his Malaysia counterpart Saifuddin Abdullah on Jan 8. Both ministers agreed to set up a working group on maritime issues to study and discuss legal and operational matters, so as to de-escalate the situation on the ground.
The working group is expected to report to the foreign ministers within two months.
Source: CNA/na(cy)
Malaysian and Greek vessels collide in Singapore’s waters
JANICE LIM Today Online 9 Feb 19;
SINGAPORE — Amid an ongoing maritime dispute, a Malaysian government vessel — which has been intruding into Singapore's territorial waters — has collided with a merchant ship off Tuas, the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) said on Saturday (Feb 9).
There are no reports of an oil leak, said MPA. It is not clear if there were any reports of injuries.
The collision between Malaysian vessel Polaris, which has been in and out of Singapore's waters since Dec 3, and Greek merchant ship Piraeus took place at 2.28pm on Saturday.
Piraeus was on its way from Singapore to its next port of call at Tanjung Pelapas in Malaysia when the collision took place.
MPA said it is investigating the incident. Nevertheless, it is “deeply concerned” that the presence of unauthorised vessels in Singapore’s port limits can "cause confusion for the international shipping community and threaten navigational safety" in the Republic’s waters.
Transport Minister Khaw Boon Wan has previously expressed worries that an unintended and dangerous incident could occur while the Malaysian ships are in Singapore’s waters.
Singapore extended its port limits off Tuas on Dec 6, after repeated intrusions by Malaysian vessels for two weeks.
These included vessels from the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency and Marine Department Malaysia.
The expansion of the Tuas port limits, which are within the Republic’s territorial waters, came after Malaysia unilaterally extended Johor Bahru’s port limits on Oct 25, which drew strong protests from Singapore.
Malaysian government vessel Polaris and Greek carrier collide in Singapore waters off Tuas
Tee Zhuo Straits Times 9 Feb 19;
SINGAPORE - A Malaysian government vessel, Polaris, and a Greek vessel have collided in Singapore territorial waters off Tuas.
In a statement, the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) said that the collision happened at 2.28pm on Saturday (Feb 9).
"There was a collision between Greece-registered bulk carrier Piraeus and Malaysia vessel Polaris in Singapore territorial waters within Singapore Port Limits off Tuas," it said.
Piraeus was on its way from Singapore to its next port of call at Tanjung Pelapas, Johor when the collision took place.
"MPA is deeply concerned that the presence of unauthorised vessels in Singapore port limits can cause confusion for the international shipping community and threaten navigational safety in our waters," the statement added.
An MPA spokesman said that there are no reports of an oil leak. MPA is investigating the incident.
In a statement late on Saturday night, Malaysia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that the Greek vessel and its crew have been detained.
It said that during communication with Polaris, Piraeus had responded that it would steer clear of Polaris.
“Despite the clear communication and definitive instructions given, the collision happened on first contact until both vessels were cleared of each other at 2.36pm,” the statement added.
“The incident however does not hamper any traffic flow and is away from the Traffic Separation Scheme area,” it said.
Such schemes are part of international rules that help coordinate vessels into designated lanes in order to prevent collisions at sea.
Malaysia Marine Department director general Datuk Baharin Abdul Hamid told The Straits Times that it has started a “preliminary inquiry” into the incident.
He also said that the Polaris was anchored when the Piraeus was sailing, and there were no injuries to the crew of both vessels as a result of the collision.
“To facilitate the casualty investigation, the Piraeus has been instructed to sail to the Port of Tanjung Pelepas where she is moored now,” he added.
Polaris, a Malaysian Marine Department vessel, is one of the vessels that trespassed into Singapore’s waters off Tuas last year.
Malaysian government vessel Polaris and Greek carrier collide in Singapore waters
On Oct 25 last year, Malaysia unilaterally gazetted altered port limits that went beyond its past claims. In response, Singapore extended its port limits off Tuas to the full extent of its territorial waters.
Speaking in Parliament on Jan 14, Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan said that Singapore would do its best to discuss all outstanding bilateral issues with Malaysia in a calm, reasonable and focused manner.
“We will always take appropriate measures to safeguard our interests. And any country dealing with Singapore must not assume that it is cost-free to embark on any adventures or antics against us. There will be consequences,” he said.
Dr Balakrishnan added that his discussions with his Malaysian counterpart Saifuddin Abdullah and Malaysian Minister of Economic Affairs Azmin Ali have been “amicable and constructive, focused on trying to resolve the issues”.
Officials from the two countries have been meeting to discuss the ongoing disputes.
Apart from the maritime dispute, Singapore also disputes Malaysia’s claim that the new Instrument Landing System (ILS) and ILS Approach Procedures for Singapore’s Seletar Airport will affect the development of the nearby Pasir Gudang town in Johor.
Marine Dept: Polaris and Greece-registered bulk carrier graze each other in Malaysian waters
Bernama New Straits Times 9 Feb 19;
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian vessel Polaris and a Greece-registered bulk carrier Piraeus grazed each other within the Malaysian territorial waters and not Singapore, said Marine Department Director-General Datuk Baharin Abdul Hamid.
Clarifying a news report on the 2.28pm incident, he said the Polaris was at the area as it has been tasked to monitor the safety of vessels navigating the waters around Johor Baru Port.
"It’s within Johor Baru Port limit. So, no question of unauthorised entry into Singapore waters. We engage Polaris to monitor the safety of navigation within the area. It’s our port,” he told Bernama.
Singapore Maritime and Port Authority in a statement this evening however claimed the 'collision' occurred in Singapore territorial waters within Singapore Port Limits off Tuas.
The port authority had expressed deep concern that the presence of unauthorised vessels in Singapore port limits could cause confusion for the international shipping community and threaten navigational safety in their waters.
Asked further on the fate of Polaris and its crew, Baharin said all the 23 crew members onboard the vessel were safe and did not sustain any injury.
"There is no serious damage to the ship, there is no rupture for the water to seep in. The incident also did not cause any threat of pollution,” he said.
Currently, he said an investigation team was already set up and began their probe on both vessels.
"They are already onboard both vessels. We will be carrying out a survey of the vessels for us to establish the actual damage. Once we have assessed, only then can we decide on the next course of action," he added.
Baharin said the Polaris, a multi-purpose buoy tender vessel owned by the Marine Department, remained at the location while the Piraeus has sailed to Tanjung Bin jetty awaiting for ship clearance from the department.
Meanwhile, the Malaysian Foreign Ministry in a statement confirmed that the Greek vessel and its crew had been detained by the Marine Department for purposes of a preliminary inquiry as per Section 334(1) of the Malaysian Shipping Ordinance 1952.
Explaining the incident, the ministry noted that the Greek vessel was first sighted entering Johor Bahru Port Limits in Malaysian Territorial Waters at 1415hrs.
"During communication with Polaris, Piraeus responded that it will steer clear of Polaris. Despite the clear communication and definitive instructions given, the collision happened on first contact until both vessels were cleared of each other at 1436hrs," it said.
Wisma Putra said the incident, however, did not hamper any traffic flow and was away from the Traffic Separation Scheme area.
"The Marine Department strongly advises ships in Johor Bahru Port Limits located in Malaysian Territorial Waters to exercise caution to avoid untoward incidents in the said waters,” it said,
The ministry also expressed their commitment to take appropriate measures to safeguard Malaysian territorial integrity, interests and safe navigation of all vessels. -- Bernama
Polaris-Pireas collision: How it happened
Ian Cheng Channel NewsAsia 10 Feb 19;
SINGAPORE: A collision between a Greece-registered ship and a Malaysian government vessel occurred in Singapore territorial waters off Tuas on Saturday (Feb 9) afternoon.
The Greek bulk carrier was on its way from Singapore to its next port of call at Tanjung Pelepas in Malaysia when the collision took place.
The Maritime Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) has launched an investigation into the incident, while the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) has reiterated “its call for Malaysia to withdraw its vessels from the area”.
What is the Polaris?
The Jabatan Laut Polaris is a buoy-laying vessel that was built in 2017. The vessel, which measures 84m by 16m, can stay at sea for 35 days without resupplies.
It belongs to the Malaysian Marine Department and is used to mark territory or safety hazards.
The Polaris has been in and out of Singapore's waters since Dec 3 amid an ongoing maritime territorial dispute.
What is the Pireas?
According to the Marine Traffic website, Pireas is a 200m cargo vessel built in 2006. It measures 225m by 32m and is registered in Piraeus, Greece.
How did the collision happen?
The MPA said in response to queries that the Pireas had refuelled at Singapore’s eastern bunkering anchorage south of Bedok on Saturday.
After refuelling, Pireas declared to MPA that its next port of call would be Tanjung Pelepas in Malaysia, the authority said on Sunday.
At 1.55pm, Pireas entered Singapore's port limits off Tuas, before slowing down and changing direction. It collided with Polaris at 2.28pm.
"Upon establishing contact with Pireas, MPA Port Operations Control Centre (POCC) instructed Pireas to stay clear of the area," the authority said.
"At this point, Pireas reported that prior to contacting MPA POCC, it had collided with Polaris and there was no damage to its vessel. Pireas informed that the collision occurred when it was making a manoeuvre to get out of the area," MPA added.
There were no reports of injuries or oil leakage.
As the collision was not considered to be very serious under the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Marine Casualty Investigation Code, Pireas was allowed to proceed with its journey to Tanjung Pelepas, MPA said.
READ: Singapore ‘reiterates’ call for Malaysia to withdraw vessels after Polaris-Pireas collision
What happened after the collision?
MPA said that it launched investigations immediately as the incident took place in Singapore territorial waters.
It also sent official notification of the collision to both the Marine Department Malaysia and Greece’s Hellenic Bureau for Marine Casualties Investigation.
Additionally, the authority said it is gathering and reviewing information, such as the vessel records and video footage of the collision.
It has also requested a formal incident report from both vessels, and contacted Pireas' agent in Singapore to assist in the investigations.
Source: CNA/ic(aj)
No 'chief culprit' or 'arranged incident' behind Pireas-Polaris collision: MPA
Linette Lai Straits Times 11 Feb 19;
SINGAPORE - There was no "chief culprit" behind last week's collision involving the Greek carrier Pireas and a Malaysian government vessel, said the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) in a Facebook post on Monday evening (Feb 11).
This is in response to false online allegations about the collision, it said.
These include allegations that the Singapore Government orchestrated the incident, and that the media was on standby to capture footage of it and upload it "almost immediately".
"There is neither a 'chief culprit' nor an 'arranged' incident," MPA said.
"MPA is investigating, and strongly urges the public to avoid spreading deliberate online falsehoods."
MPA said the collision happened at 2.28pm on Saturday afternoon, and was witnessed by Police Coast Guard officers patrolling in the area.
At that time, Pireas reported the collision to the MPA's Port Operations Control Centre and indicated that it had not sustained any damage.
MPA released a media statement - including a photograph of the accident - at around 7pm, after which it was reported by local news outlets.
Videos of the collision were provided to the media only at 8pm that day, MPA said.
On Oct 25 last year, Malaysia unilaterally gazetted altered port limits that went beyond its past claims.
In response, Singapore extended its port limits off Tuas to the full extent of its territorial waters.
Pireas was making a manoeuvre to leave Singapore's port limits off Tuas when it collided with Malaysian government vessel Polaris, which was anchored there.
Polaris, a Malaysian Marine Department vessel, is one of the vessels that trespassed into Singapore's waters off Tuas last year.
Following the accident, Singapore reiterated its call for Malaysia to withdraw its vessels from Singapore's territorial waters.
"The persistent presence of its vessels clearly poses a threat to safety of navigation in the area," said the Foreign Affairs Ministry in a statement on Sunday.
MPA said in a separate statement on Sunday that Pireas was allowed to carry on to its next port of call at Tanjung Pelepas, Malaysia, after the accident as it was "not considered a very serious marine casualty incident under the International Maritime Organization Marine Casualty Investigation Code".
